EP 164 – Father and Son Walking Together
Abraham and His Son as a Foreshadowing
  1. In Genesis 22, the experience of Abraham and Isaac makes us think about the relationship between the Heavenly Father and us.
  2. Genesis 22:2: “He said, ‘Take your son, your only son...’” This reminds us of the verse: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son...” (John 3:16, ESV).
  3. There is a significant difference between God's only Son and an earthly parent’s only son, but this foreshadowing helps us understand the power of God's expression.
  4. God's giving of His only Son to us is more precious than an earthly father offering his own son because the Father and the Son are one, surpassing the earthly father-son relationship.
  5. “Isaac, whom you love,” reminds us that the Lord is the beloved Son of God—God said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Mark 9:7, ESV).
  6. Genesis 22:2-3: “Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his son Isaac...” This shows Abraham’s heart.
  7. Having faith doesn’t mean there is no emotional attachment. The Bible doesn’t describe Abraham's feelings in detail, but we can ask him about it when we meet him. 

Abraham’s Test of Faith
  1. God prepared Abraham to go through various difficulties and trials. Though weak at times, Abraham rose up and reached new heights. This time, God gave him a special trial.
  2. 1 Peter 1:7: “So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (ESV). This verse can be applied to Abraham
  3. The trial—God is moulding us with His hands.
  4. When we don’t know God that well, we might only ask "why" repeatedly and not rise up“early in the morning.” Instead, we might procrastinate. But Abraham rose early and prepared the wood.
  5. We are God's workers on earth, fulfilling His will. At the same time, He is preparing us, elevating us, making us more qualified, and rewarding us with honor, while also making us a help to others.
  6. Abraham’s experience in offering Isaac has helped many people throughout the generations! 

The Foreshadowing of the Whole Journey
  1. Genesis 22:3-4: “...He cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day...” This was not done in a brief moment. They didn’t travel by car either, and they needed materials, so they naturally had two servants to help. 
  2. Genesis 22:4-5: “Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.’” They went to worship, which foreshadows the Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane. At first, He was with three disciples, but they fell asleep while He prayed vigilantly. The Lord went forward and faced the situation alone. He foretasted the bitter cup in Gethsemane.
  3. “He put the wood for the burnt offering on his son Isaac...” You might think of the Lord carrying the cross for us.
  4. “The two of them went together”—this phrase appears more than once. Of course, it refers to Abraham and his son, but it may also remind us of the Lord’s suffering. From Gethsemane, He walked all the way to the cross, enduring pain at every step. The Father walked with His beloved Son, feeling deeply for His Son’s suffering, whether it was man’s beating or the shame on the cross. The Father went together with His beloved Son all agony.
  5. From Genesis 22, we understand the pain of the Father. At that moment, the Father also went through great suffering for His beloved Son. The agony of the cross was no simple matter. As we understand how the Father loved the Son, and as we comprehend more about “in the Father’s bosom”, “His beloved Son”, “the Father and Son are one”, “His only Son”, “the relationship among the Trinity God,” we begin to grasp more deeply.
  6. Genesis 22:9, Matthew 27:46: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Before the Father struck and forsook His Son, the Father had been walking with the Son all the way. Can you imagine how the Father felt?
  7. Genesis 22:7-9: When Isaac asks his father, “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”, what might Abraham have felt? God told him to offer his own son, but he answered, “God will provide.” How did Abraham know? It was simply his faith. Yet, his feelings and emotions were real. In the end, he placed his son on the altar. This parallels what the Father and Son went through for us. 
EP 165 – The Father Gave Up His Only Beloved Son for Us
  1. Genesis 22:10-11 When Abraham stretched out his hand to take the knife, the angel of the Lord called from heaven, stopping him from sacrificing his son. It is precious that God knows everything we go through on earth, and He cares for us. The angel said, "Now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
  2. Genesis 22:12-14 At that time, God provided a ram for Abraham, which of course represents the Lamb of God. However, when Jesus was crucified, there was no ram, and no voice intervened. Jesus Himself is the Lamb of God.
  3. Genesis 22:15-16 This chapter mentions Abraham’s "only son" at least three times, reminding us of God’s Son—His beloved Son who went through this for us. Just like Isaac, who did not struggle in his father’s hands, because he trusted his father’s love, we must reflect on how Isaac might have felt. Think about it, wouldn’t Isaac cherish the lamb God provided? Perhaps he would have embraced it, feeling unable to let it die in his place. We don’t know what else Abraham and Isaac said to each other, and we don’t know how much they understood about the coming of the Lord and His death for us. But we clearly know that God’s only Son came and died for us. We should truly treasure His blood, which is precious blood. He died for us so that we may live with Him whether we wake or sleep. He desires for us to be close to Him, living together in the deepest living union of love.
  4. Genesis 22:20-22 At the end of chapter 22, there is a mention of who gave birth to who, transitioning from the peak–Abraham’s sacrifice–to genealogies. Verse 22 refers to Bethuel, who fathered Rebekah—Isaac's wife, who is also a symbol of the Church.
  5. Genesis 23: Sarah’s Death Chapter 24 tells of Abraham’s servant bringing Rebekah to Isaac. This is a type of the Holy Spirit bringing us before the Beloved. Thus, chapter 22 must precede chapter 24—the cross must come before the Church’s emergence. The Lord was first wounded, just as God took a rib from Adam to form Eve, creating his companion. Isn’t this passage precious? Today, the Church has appeared, and we have a part in it.
  6. The Bible is truly the Word of God: The lengthy account in Genesis 24 describes Abraham’s servant bringing Rebekah to Isaac, his only son. Today, the Holy Spirit also brings us before the Father’s only beloved Son, and we become His bride, His darling.
  7. Paul was clear about this; he states: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave Him up for us all...” (Romans 8:32). We know that God gave His beloved Son to us—not just having Him to become a man, but that He forsook Him for us. The Lord Himself loved me and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20); this is a deep personal sacrifice.
  8. Genesis 22–about the Father:22:14, it says God provided the lamb: "Abraham called the name of that place, ‘The Lord will provide,’ as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.’" How precious! One day, on the mount, God prepared His beloved Son. He personally struck, punished, crushed, and forsook His Son. Jesus despised the shame and endured the cross, drinking the bitter cup. Without this preparation on the mount of Golgotha, no other preparation would matter.
  9. With this, there are other blessings. We have the Father, and the Bible says that all things are ours. 
EP 166 – The Lord Will Provide
  1. Jehovah Jireh, He will certainly provide. I find this phrase very precious. The eternal and infinite One will undoubtedly make provision for you and me.
  2. My heart is moved, as the infinite One has prepared so detailly for us, from this life to eternity. He even gives Himself, not material things, to us.
  3. In Genesis 1 and 2, the word “provide” is not used, but even before man was created, He had already made His creation, the stars, and the sun. The Psalms say that light and the sun are things He has “prepared.” He has provided all kinds of things, such as the vitamins and minerals we need daily. But unlike a car that needs fuel, we enjoy delicious food that is both nutritious and enjoyable. His provisions in creation are truly perfect.
  4. After the fall of man, the world was corrupted, no longer as beautiful as the Garden of Eden. However, we can still see God's provision from morning to night, from evening to morning. It is indeed abundant.
  5. Hebrews 10:4-6 God loves animals, but for the salvation of mankind and the knowledge of salvation, He sacrificed many bulls and lambs. This physical teaching was on a largescale, even including how to slaughter and where to place the offerings, because it affected our understanding of the Lord and His crucifixion. God did not want to treat animals this way unless it was absolutely necessary.
  6. Hebrews 10:7 What was just said also includes Isaiah and Psalm 22. The Lord fulfilled God's will throughout His life, including His crucifixion. How precious it is that God prepared a body for His beloved Son. The Lord also bore the marks of love on His body, permanent scars that remain forever. The fact that the Lord became a man is already incredibly precious, and He went through so much for us.
  7. The Lord became a man, not like Adam, but as a baby. Isaiah 9:6. God's preparation in this is truly astounding and comforts our hearts. We are the created; He is the Creator. I am finite, but He is infinite. He personally came to bridge the gap! We truly need the Lord to gently approach us and show His desire towards us.
  8. In Genesis 3, after man sinned, God immediately acted and made garments of skin for Adam and Eve. This required the sacrifice of an animal (most likely a lamb) to cover their shame. Today, we can say that this is akin to our "clothing." 
EP 167 – God’s Preparation for Us
Preparation for This Life and Eternity
  1. Abba’s preparation for us extends from this life to eternity! He has prepared for us Himself and His beloved Son, which is the deepest affection and the most beautiful love. Having Abba is infinite blessings, and with the Lord and the Holy Spirit, it is infinite blessings upon infinite blessings! How precious it is that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are with us! 

The Savior and Salvation
  1. Luke chapter 2 speaks of the precious salvation that God prepared for us, which Simeon spoke of (Luke 2:29-33). The Lord is the Saviour of this salvation, and He took the name Jesus, the name of a man. The Lord is the light for the Gentiles.
  2. On the day we are saved, the Lord described it with a parable, saying that Abba rejoices and sets a great feast; it is so much joy that even the older son cannot stand it. 

God Lays a Feast/ Spreads a Table
  1. Psalm 78:19-20: the Israelites spoke against God, thinking how could God possibly lay a feast in the wilderness? How could He find the meat? But He truly is able. The Lord, on Earth, fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish.
  2. Psalm 23: God prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies.
  3. Now, no matter the circumstances, the feast for our souls is the Lord Himself. This is the most precious feast. The Lord also said He is the bread of life, and whoever drinks from Him will never thirst again, but rivers of living water will flow from within.
  4. Song of Songs chapter 5 also speaks of drinking deeply, and the Holy Spirit will help us to experience and enjoy more of the Lord and Abba. 

Come Before God
  1. With the calling of love, the Lord repeatedly calls us to come before Him. The Book of Hebrews also tells us again and again to come–to the throne of grace and before God with full confidence.
  2. The veil has been torn, and this is Abba's preparation, so that we can enter the Holy of Holies and be face to face with God. This also means we come to New Jerusalem to meet God. Whether on earth or in heaven, this is the most precious and best destination, where we can find God’s will, His house, and His special presence. This is perfect. God has prepared everything for us so that we can enjoy Him, and that He can also fully enjoy us.
  3. When we draw near to the Lord and are drawn by Him, we have enjoyment, and the Lord enjoys us even more. As Song of Songs 2:14 says, "Let me see your face, let me hear your voice." We should draw near to the Lord and Abba the best way we can.

Preparation of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb
  1. God has prepared the Lamb for us. The Lord became the Lamb to bring forth the marriage supper of the Lamb. Revelation mentions that the Lord is the Lamb who was slain, and it also talks about the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 19 mentions the marriage supper of the Lamb.) In Matthew 22, the Lord speaks of a parable about a king giving a wedding feast for his son. While the term “preparation” isn't used, it also requires preparation.

Preparation of a New Home
  1. John 14:2-3: the Lord went to prepare a place for us, a most beautiful new home.
  2. Hebrews 11:16 says they desire a better country, which is a city prepared by God, His tabernacle.
  3. Hebrews 11:40 also tells us that God has prepared something better for us, so that we may enjoy it, which includes various better things in this life and in eternity.

Our Response
  1. Revelation 19:7 says, “His bride has made herself ready.”  
EP 168 – The Lord Came to Reveal the Father
  1. The Old Testament is already very rich, and many precious words were spoken by the prophets of old. Yet, it cannot be compared to the Lord Himself becoming a man, enabling us to know God and His glory in the most vividly and most closely.
  2. 1 Timothy 3:16: God’s beloved Son indeed came to the earth. The Son of God alone can manifest the Father. However, His prayer in John 17 is infinitely precious!
  3. If someone were to be born for me, it would astonish me. If they lived for me, I would not deserve it. If they were named for me, I would find it overwhelming. But the Lord became a baby for us! He is different from Adam. God prepared a body for Him. He came to the earth to reveal the Father and His love.
  4. In the last night, the Lord clearly mentioned in His prayer that He would reveal the Father's name to the disciples. He would continue to make the Father’s name known to us. It’s my true experience that the Lord reveals the Father to me again and again in my heart, and He desires that the Father's love for Him to bein us.
  5. No one can fully explain the parable of the loving father in Luke 15. Only the Lord, who knows the Father most deeply and loves the Father most profoundly, can speak of the prodigal son returning to the Father’s embrace. The scene when I first believed in the Lord is still vivid in my heart, even though it happened 60 years ago. That night, I felt God very close. At the time, I didn’t know how to describe it, but now I know Abba was embracing me and kissing me with many kisses. It was the happiest night of my life, and I am sure Abba was even happier. We often rejoice together!
  6. Luke 15:20 says, "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him." We don't know the exact details, but I believe the father was waiting for his son, anticipating his return. I don’t believe the son was calling out as he came near the house and only then did the father go out to meet him. This reminds me of Isaiah 30:18, which says, "Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you."
  7. If you read the New Testament, you will notice that the term "Father" appears very frequently. In the Gospel of John, the Lord often speaks about the Father sending Him. This is, in itself, the Lord’s desire!
EP 169-170 – Father - Son Affection
The Story of Jacob and Joseph
  1. The experiences of Jacob and Joseph reflect the love of Abba for us. Joseph was born to Jacob in his old age, and Jacob especially loved him, which caused Joseph's brothers to hate him. Eventually, they sold him. After selling Joseph, his brothers dipped his coat of many colors in goat's blood and gave it to Jacob, who was deeply grieved upon seeing it (Genesis 37:32-35).
  2. From Jacob's mourning, we see the deep affection between father and son; he cried tothe point that he refused to be comforted.
  3. Joseph sent a caravan to bring Jacob and his family to Egypt. At first, Jacob did not believe it, but when he saw the caravan, he realized and decided to go and meet Joseph (Genesis 45:24-28).
  4. The key point is that he was going to see his son, not to enjoy riches and glory.
  5. Jacob told Joseph that seeing his face was worth dying for. This passage illustrates the earthly affection between father and son, helping us understand how Abba loves us. Jacob's love for Joseph was so deep that it could hardly be expressed in words. Would our Heavenly Father love us any less than Jacob’s love for his son? (Genesis 46:29-30).

The Name of Isaac
  1. The name Isaac means "laughter." He was Abraham's beloved son, the joy of his father, and we too are the joy of Abba.
  2. In Psalm 59, one of the verses shines like a diamond: "My God will meet me with His steadfast love" (Psalm 59:9-11, 13, 16-17). Saul sent men to spy on David's house to kill him. When David found himself in danger and trouble, he looked to the Lord and knew that God would meet him with steadfast love.
  3. A brother's song: "Every day You meet me with Your love, Your smiling face helps me. Father, Your heart and Your love are always open to me... You are so joyful to see my face, You are so joyful to hear my voice!" 

Walking Hand in Hand with Abba, Lord, and the Holy Spirit to Live This Life
  1. One day, I felt as if both of my hands were being held by the Lord and Abba. The Holy Spirit placed my hands in the hands of the Father and the Lord, and this is how I live and walk with them.
  2. The preparations Abba has made for me are truly amazing. Not only is there this beautiful and vast universe (including all of His creation in different scales). 

Conclusions
  1. Abba prepared His beloved Son for us, and for His beloved Son, He prepared a body to become the Lamb.
  2. Abba has prepared eternity for me. 
  3. Abba sets a table for me in the wilderness on earth, before my enemies.
  4. Abba has given us His beloved Son, and at the same time, He has given Himself completely to us. He has also sent the Holy Spirit.
  5. Abba makes us all firstborn. The firstborn inherits a double portion of the inheritance and receives the father’s blessing.
  6. The firstborn is also associated with the priesthood and kingship.
  7. Abba will lead His many sons into glory; we are the firstborn.
  8. I hope that every day we see how Abba meets us with love. When we think of the earthly relationship, like a father embracing his children when he comes home.